Getting the Cut – Circumcision In Ancient Egypt

In the Middle East, communities such as Jews, Colchians, Ethiopians, Phoenicians, and Syrians historically practiced circumcision, a trend that continues today. This was also common in Ancient Egypt, where evidence of circumcision exists in tomb paintings and on mummies like Amenhotep I.

In Egypt, circumcision was typically performed by priestly assistants on priests and members of royal families and is considered one of the most ancient ‘elective’ operations.

While examining mummies, it’s apparent that not all Pharaohs, such as Ahmose I, founder of Dynasty 18 and the New Kingdom (1549–1524 BCE), were circumcised.

It’s believed that the Egyptians learned about circumcision from people in what is now Sudan and Ethiopia.

There is no evidence that Ancient Egyptian women underwent circumcision, suggesting it was exclusively a male practice. In Egyptian mythology, a connection to the Sun-god Ra is implied. The Book of the Dead, chapter xvii, mentions that “blood came from the god Ra’s limb (i.e., penis) when he wished to cut himself,” which some interpret as a reference to self-circumcision, possibly giving the practice a religious significance.

Modern medicine recognizes that circumcision can help prevent conditions like penile cancer, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, phimosis, and syphilis. It may also reduce the risk of genital infections.

Herodotus noted that Egyptians practiced circumcision for hygienic reasons, he wrote, “They circumcise for the sake of cleanliness, for they put cleanliness before beauty.” This contrasts with the Ancient Greek and Roman views, which found the exposed glans of a penis unappealing. This is the earliest mention of the health benefits of circumcision, which he seems to have accepted without saying so.

In Ancient Egypt, the procedure differed from modern practices; the foreskin was split rather than completely removed. Boys, typically between ages 6 and 12, underwent circumcision using sharpened copper blades. However, mummies of boys reveal that not all underwent the procedure.

Some suggest the ceremony symbolized the transition from childhood to adulthood. Despite its significance, there are few historical depictions of circumcision in Ancient Egypt. Only two monuments—Ankhmahor’s tomb (see below) at Saqqara and the Mut temple complex at Karnak—precisely depict the act.

Although not depicted, circumcision is mentioned in other monuments like Uha’s Stela from the First Intermediate Period (c. 2100 BCE), found at Nag ed-Deir. It shows Uha with a sekhem-scepter, symbolizing power, and mentions his circumcision along with 120 other men. His wife Henutsen, who is smaller than him and tenderly holding Uha’s hand, stands behind Uha.

The most famous depiction is in the tomb of the official Ankhmahor, part of Teti’s pyramid complex. Ankhmahor, a priest of Maat and a lector priest, oversaw royal projects and treasuries. His tomb contains the earliest known illustration of circumcision in ancient Egypt, showing two men undergoing the procedure.

Right side: (above the standing male on the right): “Sever, indeed, thoroughly”. The man kneeling with the blade: “I will proceed carefully”.
Left side: (kneeling rubbing ointment on the penis before the procedure) “Hold him fast. Do not let him faint”.
(The man holding him): “I will do as you wish”
The inscription can be read as “Circumcising the mortuary priest”
Image: Kairoinfo4u – Flickr